THE ARTISTIC TYPE: A BLOG OF THEATER, ARTS AND CULTURE

Orlando Repertory Theatre continues its 10th Birthday Season, presented by the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation, with Dr. Seuss's "The Cat in the Hat."

Public performances begin Saturday, Feb. 16, and run through March 24.

And remember the Rep's ongoing promotion: In honor of the theater's 10th Birthday season, there is an "Opening Saturday" ticket special. When patrons purchase one adult ticket, they receive one child's ticket free.This offer is only valid at the 2 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. performance on Saturday, Feb. 16.

Based on the book by Dr. Seuss and originally produced by the National Theatre of Great Britain, this production is presented by Universal Orlando Foundation with supporting partners Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed, P.A. Attorneys at Law and Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children.

Surely, you know the story: From games and mischief to Thing One and Thing Two, the Cat in the Hat is the perfect friend for a boring rainy afternoon. But will Sally and her brother be able to explain the mess to Mother?

Director Gary Cadwallader, who had directed several shows for the Rep, thinks this new adaptation does justice to Seuss's book, first published in 1957.

"It is a superb, and I'm sure permanent, addition to the Theatre for Young Audiences repertoire," says Cadwallader.

The cast includes Sage Starkey as Cat, Wesley Slade as Fish, Jasmine Forsberg as Thing One, Alexa Wengrofsky as Thing Two, Nick Rishel as Boy and Lyndsey Wilkerson as Sally.

Showtimes are 2 and 5:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, through March 24.

Tickets are $17 for adults, $15 for seniors, students, and members of the military with a valid ID. For youths ages 3-17, tickets are $11.

Backstage tours are offered on Feb. 23 and March 23 following the 5:30 p.m. performances for an additional $5 per person. Space is limited, so reserve a spot in advance.

An performance The 5:30 p.m. show on March 16 will be interpreted in American Sign Language; the 5:30 p.m. March 17 show will be sensory-friendly.

All performances take place at Orlando Repertory Theatre, 1001 E. Princeton St., Orlando. For tickets or more information, call 407-896-7365 or go to http://www.orlandorep.com.